Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for January 15, 2023
Songs of thankfulness and praise,
Jesus, Lord, to Thee we raise,
Manifested by the star
To the sages from afar;
Branch of royal David’s stem
In Thy birth at Bethlehem;
Anthems be to Thee addressed,
God in man made manifest.
Upcoming meetings, events, and opportunities
Choir will practice at 9:15 Sunday morning, to prepare for future services.
Join our Sunday Worship Zoom link at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88327467219?pwd=Mis3ME4waGE1RmRBN zFXK3VUaDJXdz09
Meeting ID: 883 2746 7219 Passcode: 131738
(Posted later for viewing on Facebook and YouTube)
Our meetings are open to all. If you would like to attend a meeting, please let Vicky know and she will provide the Zoom link, or you are welcome to attend in person.
Trustees will meet on Wednesday, January 18th at 12:00 pm - Zoom only
Outreach will meet on Thursday, January 19th at 4:00 pm - Fellowship Hall & Zoom
Council will meet on Friday, January 20th at 12:00 pm - Fellowship Hall & Zoom
Please keep the following people in your prayers this week: The family and friends of Roland Potter who died Fri. Jan. 6; Myrna and Jane and Silas grieving Steve’s death on Dec. 25th; the family and friends of Kathleen Adams Ciociola (lifelong friend of Kathy McGlinchey and her sister Patti Wotton) who died Dec. 19th ; Steve, Shona, Tyler, Dwight, & Carolynn grieving Marcia’s death on Dec. 16th; Steve Crabtree recovering from illness in assisted-living; Barbara Reeve recovering from lumbar surgery; Ginger and John Cunningham; Herbie Hodgkins; John Wood; Andrew and Tamara; Austin’s cousin Danny; Judy; Kathy’s sister Patti Wotton; Roberta Scott; Betty Johnston; Betty’s step-daughter Mollie; Margaret B; Christopher Hudson’s step-father Arthur; Kenny & Joy & David; Liz & Jim; Gary Edwards; Bruce’s sister Lynn; Renata and the women she cares for; Eleanor’s step-daughter Holly; Tom & Judy’s son Andrew and his family; Cynthia; Nancy; all individuals and families experiencing addictions… all caregivers… all affected by memory loss … those living with depression and other mental health issues… Alexander and his parents; Mr. Earl; Reggie Nash; all those in your heart…
Starting this month, and through the cold months, we will be setting the third Sunday of the month aside to take monetary donations to augment The Minister’s Discretionary Fund (helps congregants and community members in need of financial assistance for food, fuel, etc.). If you would like to donate to this important fund, please notate it on the bottom of your check. It's a new year and new offering envelopes are available for all church Members and Friends. Please request a set if they would help you schedule and budget your financial support for our church. You do not have to commit to a specific pledge and your contribution can be adjusted as necessary. Please let David Wildes (422-3739) know if you would like a set of envelopes or if you have any questions about our stewardship program. Thanks to everyone for your support of our church family and the important work we do. Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry could always use your help. If you are able to volunteer, please contact Ken at loavesandfishesellsworth@gmail.com or at 207-801-0688. January Birthdays and Anniversaries coming up: 16: *Everett* & *Vicky* Espling 21: *Gary* Hunt 23 Avabelle Havey Contact Us at Union Congregational Church of Hancock: TJ can be reached by cell phone at 207-323-6743 or by email at revtjmack@hancockucc.com Vicky can be reached at 207-422-3100 or by email at hancockmaineucc@gmail.com Jen can be reached by email at treasurer@hancockucc.com News from the Maine Conference From our Conference Minister – Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola This Is A Day Of New Beginnings, Time To Remember And Move On, Time To Believe What Love Is Bringing, Laying To Rest The Pain That’s Gone. When I was a kid, I would get so excited about New Year’s Eve! I remember going to my grandmother’s where our whole extended family would be in the streets at midnight and dance and dance! And then there was the ball drop in my teen years, with noise makers and lots of food! Since then, New Years doesn’t have the same meaning to me. The last time we stayed awake until midnight, our teenage daughter went to bed at 11:30 because she was “bored.” Nowadays, we’re in bed by 10, and may wake up only if there are revelers in the street. No revelers this year in our small Maine neighborhood. Nonetheless, there is something about the new year—not so much that a number turns over, but that it marks all the “new” we experience every day and don’t notice, don’t appreciate, or maybe are a little fearful to consider. “Things can be new? Really? I don’t know what that means, and right around now I’m looking for the same old, same old, especially with the amount of “new changes” we’ve experienced with the pandemic, politics, increase in violence, etc., etc.” When I was a local pastor in the last church I served, we sang the hymn “This is a Day of New Beginnings” several times over a number of years, as we committed to becoming a mission church, as we decided to join with our sister United Methodist Church, as we began a new breakfast program, as we worked with community partners. We were continually doing “new beginnings” and we wanted to affirm and celebrate that these new beginnings that God was making new. Without God, we could do nothing new. I wonder…each of these verses from that NCH hymn is filled with rich meaning: letting go of what once was to grasp the new of what’s to come, grieving through loss, remembering the past just enough to appreciate the present, acknowledging the spirit’s movement among us. I invite each of us to look through, sing through maybe, the hymn above. Take a moment to wonder: what about this hymn speaks to my heart? What part of “new” does it challenge me to embrace? What is God encouraging me to consider as I look at what gets in the way of seeing God’s newness? Grieving loss? Struggling to remember the past just enough to inform the present and not to paralyze? Giving up fears that keep me from being led by God into the future? Struggling to acknowledge the Spirit’s movement among us? Blessings to you, Beloved. Take some time to celebrate the God that continually makes things new! Also, this spring, Marisa will be offering a vitality workshop, Alive & Thrive at Any Size, at four locations around the state. The workshops focus on church vitality for the 21st century, including the topics of: ● Becoming a mission church: reaching out into the greater community ● Engaging community partners for mission ● “Right sizing” governance to prevent burn out as numbers in the pews decrease ● Creative ways for pastors and lay leaders to work together ● Reaching the unchurched and inviting them into the life of the church Please register for one of the following events: Second Christian Church in Kittery - March 18 Winthrop Congregational Church - April 22 West Parish in Bethel - May 6 Hammond St. Congregational Church in Bangor - June 10 Hybrid options are available at the April 22 and June 10 meetings. Questions? Contact Marisa mlaviola@maineucc.org News from local non-profit organizations The BTS Center (thebtscenter.org) invites you to join them for upcoming offerings: · On Monday, January 16, they will hold their annual online Committed to Listen event in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. They are pleased to offer this public reading of Dr. King's "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" in partnership with the Maine Council of Churches, and it promises to be a powerful gathering. · On Thursday, February 2, they will host a Lament with Earth event. · And please join them on Thursday, February 16 for a very special event with Debra Rienstra, author of Refugia Faith: Seeking Hidden Shelters, Ordinary Wonders, and the Healing of the Earth.
Excerpts from the Age-Friendly Sullivan newsletter
Candy Eaton, Coordinator
207.460.1114
Schoodic Arts for All is offering Friday Cabin Fever Fridays - see their
RSU24 has published their winter/spring offerings - check out their catalog
1/15/23: Benefit Lunch @ SSRC: 12 noon to benefit
Franklin Asst Fire Chief Steve Grindle
1/23/23: AARP Tax Aide Free tax preparation services at FBL 1-5pm
appointments required 207.422.2307
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